Swingable door for tumbler type clothes washing machines



May 26, 1953 H. MILLER 2,539,601

SWINGABLE DOOR FOR TUMBLER TYPE CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 15, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

HERMAN MILLER ATTORNEY.

H. MILLER May 26, 1953 SWINGABLE DOOR FOR TUMBLER TYPE CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 15, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 U U U U U U U U U U U U U UUOOUOOUOOUUU O O OO O O O OO O OOOOOOOOOOOOOO O OOOO O O O 0 0 MW N R @3030 O 0 0 0 O (3 n O O y 26, 1953 H. MILLER 2,639,601

SWINGABLE DOOR FOR TUMBLER TYPE CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 15, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. HERMAN MILLER A TTORNE Y.

May 26, 1953 I H, MlLLER 2,639,601

SWINGABLE DOOR FOR TUMBLER TYPE CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 15, 1949 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. HERMAN MILLER ATTORNEY,

Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES hATEN-T ()FF-IGE SWINGABBE DOOR FOR TUMBLER TYPE CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES- This invention relates to washing machines and; in particular, it relates-:towashing machines of thecommercial typein whichaperforatedcontrainer is rotatably mounted within: an outer cylinder. More particularly, the invention relates to a commercial washing machine of the cylindrical typehaving a removable-end and dis-- posed on a horizontal axis for normal operation, and including means for tilting the container for loading and for tilting the container in an opposite direction for unloading.

Most commercial washing machines of thehorizont'al cylindrical type include a door along one sid'eand above thewater line. This door is used for loading and unloading the laundry. When laundry is unloaded from such a washing machine it involves a considerable manual task' because the laundry is wet and heavy and the operator must reach in the container and lift the wet laundry therefrom;

In the practice of my invention, I provide acommercial washingmachinein which a perforated container rotates within an outeroylinder. One end of the'ma'chi'ne is provided with a door which functions to sealboth the inner container and the outer container while permitting the inner container to rotatefreely. The machine of" my invent-ion also-includesmeans for elevating the entire container atone end so as tofacilitate loading by raising the loading end to an. elevated position. The machine also includes means for elevating the opposite end of the container so that'when the door is opened and the perforated container is rotated the laundry progressively moves out of the end of the machine.

Among the objects and advantages of my invention are to provide a washing machine which is automatic in unloading laundry therefrom; to provide a washing machine with an open end which may bepartly elevated to facilitatel'oading; to provide a washing machine of the open end type which is-provided with a novel door construction to permit separate enclosures for an outer cylinderand an inner'perforated container; to provide a washing machine of the cylindrical type which may be elevated" at either end of the cylinder; to provide a was-hing machine having an automatic door opening and closing mechanism including a lockingdevice for the door when in its closed position; and, to provide a washing machine of the character described which is economical to manufacture and which is: efiicient and economical to operate.

These and other objects and advantages will appear more fully in' the following detailed de- 2. scription when consideredinconnectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is. a side .elevational' view of a. wash.- ing machine embodying the, features; of my. invention;

Figure. 2. is a similar View thereof except that the-machineis partly insection: through the longitudinal axis thereof 1 Figure 3 is 1 a. front elevational? view. of the: machine;

Figure 41 isia transverseview, insectionr ofthe cylindrical member of the.- machine taken along lines IV-IV, of Figure 2;

Figure 5: is a sideelevati'onal: view ofz the-ma.- chine with the front". end. elevated. for: loading purposes;

Figure 6 is a: side. elevational view of the. ma.- chinewithits rear endelevated in unloading position; and,

Figure '7: isanenlargedTview; in section, of: the central portion: of the doors shown in Figure2;

Withreferenceto the drawingsandin particular, toEigures 1 and 2; I show an embodiment of my invention constituting;essentially, an. outer cylinder container I and an-inner cylindrical con.- tainer 2'. Bothof these containers. areapositioned in ahorizontal axis. The outer container con.- stitutes an enclosure for retaining water in which the laundry is washedi. Theinner'container 2 is rotatable within the-outercontainer and; includes perforations 3 extending throughv the walls throughout the major portionof. the container. Also included within the inner container is: a plurality of ribs: 4- which. projectcinwardly of the container and serve" as:v means for lifting the laundry as the container is rotated. This is in accordance with conventional practice in: wash.- ing' machines: of the cylindricaltype. Both the outer and inner containers l and 2;, respectively, are provided with open endsatthe same end;

The inner container 2 is axial1y rotatablewithin the outer container I A trunnion 5 is attached to the closed end ofthe inner container 2 and is connected to a shaft 6 supported by a bearing 1'. The'bearingin turn rests upon a bracket 8 attached to an end plate: 9: of the outer container I. A pulley i 0 hey-ed to the shaftv 6 completes'themeohanism for'supportingone end of the inner container 2'.

Near the open end of the inner container 2 is aband H attached to.: the outer perimeter of the container. This bandserves-asa track which contacts three rollers t2; l3; and: M (Figure. 4:). The rollers l2 and t3: are: supported by housings I5- and [6 respectively; attached totheouter container I. Also, a housing II attached to the container I supports the roller I4. These housings I5, I6 and II are attached to the container I as by means of a welding operation so that they provide a fluid tight connection therewith. The reinforcing band I8 forming a part of the outer container I serves as a means to strengthen the outer container at the location of the supporting rollers I2, I3 and I4. By this arrangement the axial shaft 6 supports the rotatable container 2 at one end while the rollers I2, I3 and I4 support the container at the opposite end. This leaves the open end of the containers free of any axial supporting means, or other restriction, which might interfere with the loading and unloading of laundry relative to the container.

The inner container is driven by means of a motor or combination motor "and reduction unit I9 attached to a bracket which extends upwardly and fastens to the end plate 9 of the outer container I. A pulley 2| is keyed to the motor I9 and by means of a plurality of V-shaped belts 22 engages with and drives the pulley I6. By means of this direct drive and the attachment of the motor base to the end plate of the outer container the cylinders, as hereinafter described, may be elevated without interfering with the drive arrangement.

The outer container I is maintained in an elevated position and is supported by a frame 23. A pair of plates 24 (Figure 1) positioned at either side of the container I and at the open end thereof is welded to the reinforcing band I8 which extends around the container. At the bottom of the plates 24 is a pivotal connection 25 (Figure 2) which connects to a pair of horizontal beams 26 resting upon the frame 23. The opposite end of the beams 26 includes a bracket 21 having a pivot 28 which attaches to another bracket 29 welded to the frame 23. The beams 26 serve as a cradle upon which the cylinder I is supported. The front or open end of the cylinder joins with the pivot 25, and the rear end of the container is provided with a pair of plates 30 (Figure 1), the bottom portion of which is supported by resting upon the pair of beams 26.

In its normal horizontal position, the cylinder rests securely upon the cradle formed by the horizontal beams 26. Means are provided for elevating either the front or rear end of the containers. The front end may be elevated by a fluid operable cylinder 3| pivotally connected at 32 (Figure 2) to the frame 23. The opposite end of the cylinder 3| includes a piston rod which pivotally connects to a cross bar 34 operating to join the horizontal beams 26 together to form a rigid cradle.

At the rear end of the container a cylinder 35 pivotally joined at 36 to the frame '23 is provided with a piston extension 31 pivoted at 38 to a bracket 39 welded to the end plate 9 of the container I.

Operation of the cylinder 3| is accomplished by means of a conventional fluid operable valve 40 (Figure 1). Conduits 4| and 42 leading from the valve 40 connect with the cylinder 3| so as to cause the cylinder 3| to be actuated in accordance with operation of the valve 40. When this valve 40 is in operating position the piston 33 of the cylinder 3| becomes extended and causes the containers to move about the pivot 28 so as to elevate the front end of the containers to a position such as shown in Figure ,5. A sec- 0nd actuation of the valve 40 causes the piston in cylinder 3| to recede and lower the containers to their normal horizontal position.

In a somewhat similar manner the rear end of the containers may be elevated. In this case a valve 43 connects to the cylinder 35 by means of conduits 44 and 45. Operation of the valve 43 actuates the cylinder 35 to elevate the rear end of the containers. In this case the containers swing about the pivot 25 so as to elevate the rear of the containers to a position such as shown in Figure 6. A reverse operation of the valve 43 allows the containers to resume their horizontal position.

As shown in Figure 2, a drain mechanism is associated with the underside of the container I. Essentially, this consists of a housing 46 attached to the underside of the container I. An aperture 41 through the wall of the bottom of the container provides an outlet from the container. The housing 46 also includes an aperture 46 which is closeable by a valve 49. A portion of the valve 49 includes a cylinder-like member 59 which engages with a piston 5|. The piston 5| is connected to a bracket 52 attached to the housing 46. A flexible conduit 53 communicates to the interior of the cylinder 50 and to a valve 54 (Figure 1). While fluid pressure is maintained in the conduit 53 the valve 49 is held firmly against the housing 46 so as to seal the opening 48 and prevent leakage of the container during its operating cycle. When it is desired to allow the water to run from the container I, the valve 54 is actuated to open the conduit 53 to a drain whereby the weight of the water in the container acting against the valve 49 causes the valve to open and the Water rushes out of the container. A funnel 55 connects to a drain and collects the water released when the valve 49 is open. A shield 56 forms an extension to the housing 46 and overlaps the funnel member 55 so as to insure the water passing into the drain. When the machine is again ready for operation the valve 54 is again actuated to close the valve 49.

An essential feature of the washing machine is a door which operates to close the open ends of the containers I and 2. This door is so arranged that it enables a complete enclosure of the outer container I while at the same time providing a separate closure for the container 2 which is rotatable within the container I. This arrangement takes the form of an outer door 51 circular in shape and having a bowed cross-section. A central portion constitutes a hub 58 while a reinforcing member 59 is welded to the hub and to the door 5'! for purposes of strengthening the door and holding it in proper alignment. At the outer rim of the door 51 is a sealing member 60 which is adapted to press tightly against an angle band 6| positioned around the edge of the container I. Wholly supported by the outer door is an inner door 62. This door is also circular, and in cross-section it is curved inwardly which is directly opposite to the outwardly curved section of the outer door 51. A sealing gasket 63 extends around the rim of the door 62 and is engageable with an angle band 64 attached to the outer edge of the inner container 2.

Means for supporting the inner door 62 is shown, in particular, in Figure 7. A hub 65 constitutes the center of the inner door 62. A reinforcing disk 66 is also Welded to one end of the hub and to the door 62 for maintaining the door in rigid assembly. Within the hub 65 is a shaft 61 attached to the hub by means of a cap tt a'ndmachine screw 691. An. extension. 150301: the shaft" tl fits within a bearing: H attached tdthe. hub 58; The extension I is rotatable withinthe bearing II and a packinggland I 2: keeps-water out of the rotating joint. At; the innerend: of the extension H3 is a flange 1 3* which limits the. inward movement ofthe door 62.- Within the extension ii is a thrust bearing 14 and a spring I which presses against the thrust bearing and is retained by the end of the hub 58. This spring allows a limited" amount ofa'xialmovement between the door 62' and the door 51. Thus, when the doors are brought into closing position against the ends of the containers I and. 2],.the door '52. first. engages the inner. container 2",then the door 5.! compresses the spring slightly before the door 51' is in tight engagement with the container I. This door construction allows the inner container 2 to rotate freely, and the door 62 rotates with the container while the outer door remains fixed in a stationary position. relative to the container I.

In order. to open and close the door Ilprovide a tubular member 15" extending across the front of the door 5'! and attached thereto at'the hub 58. An arm ll (Figure 1) is attached to one end of the tubular member I5 and is pivoted at it to a bracket iii welded to the band I8 extending around the container I. At an intermediate portion along the arm 'I'! is a pivot 80 which joins a latch 8| pivotally connected at 82 to an adjusting screw 83 which in turn engages a block B l pivotally attached at 85 to a post 85 projecting from the bracket I9. This mechanism provides a means by which the door may be opened and closed, and when closed it is held in locked position. Not only is the door held in locked position, but it is held in tight engagement with the outer container I so that no leakage will occur. The adjusting screw 83 permits an accurate tight fit of the outer door 51. It is to be understood that a similar mechanism is on the opposite side of the container and functions simultaneously in the same identical manner.

Because of the tight fit of the door, it is possible to increase the pressure within the container by means of an inlet through which steam may be introduced. Thus by operating at a pressure up to about five pounds per square inch, it is possible to increase the water temperature for facilitating the washing operation.

For operation of the door, cylinders 81 and 88, one on each side of the door, are pivotally attached at one end to the bracket 24 and at the opposite end to the latch 8I. The cylinder 8'! through conduits 89 and 90 communicates with a valve 9 I. Similarly, the cylinder 88 through conduits 92 and 93 also communicates to the same valve 9i. Operation of the valve 9I causes the cylinders 87 and 88 to actuate, releasing the locking mechanism and leaving the door 51 in the position as shown in Figures 5 and 6. To prevent the door from swinging loosely relative to the arm 11, a rod 94 pivotally connected at 95 to the bracket 19 is attached to the front of the door 51.

Hot water is fed into the container through the conduit 95, and the amount of liquid that enters the container can be ascertained by the glass liquid level gauge 97.

At the start of the operation of the apparatus, there is no water in the container and valve 4!] is actuated so as to elevate the front end of the container to a position such as shown in Figure 5.

Also, in this position the door is open, as shown.

I ccnt'ainerto provide-a rinsing cycle.

In: this: elevated: position: an dperator tosses the;

desired quantity of laundry intci the. inner conminor 2; When. this. is accomplished: th v door; is-clos'edf by: actuation of the valve 9|... Also",,valve or it may be injected into the water flow, or it.

maybe addedthrough aseparate smalldo'orr (not shown) specificaliyfor this purpose when the desired. amount of: water. enters the. containerthe' motor I=9 isstart'ed and: the: inner cylinder. 42. is rotated. This rotation may be constant. in. one direction: or itmay be reversed in an internnttent manner. After. a proper period: of washingicyrcle is completed the" drain valve-i's-opened by operation of 'val've 54- and the water is permitted. to run from the container. Therea-fterthe' drainvalxze is closed and fresh water is introduced: int'c the One ortmore rinsing operations may be required. Atthe end of the fi nal rinsing operation, the drain valve is again opened toallow the water to rurr from the container; The inner container may still rotate so as to tumble the laundry and. express addrtional-wat'er from the laundry. Thereafter; valve BI is actuated to open the doors and valve? is is also operated to raise the rear end of the con tainer. This places the apparatus in the position illustrated by Figure 6. In this position a basket is placed on the floor at the open end of the apparatus and as the inner container continues to rotate, the laundry is tumbled out of th container and into the basket, or other means for receiving the wet or washed laundry. When the laundry is removed therefrom the motor is stopped, the containers returned to their horizontal position, and again the front end is ele vated, as shown in Figure 5, and the apparatus is in a position to continue a similar cycle of operation.

As thus shown and described, it is believed apparent that I have provided a novel arrangement for washing laundry by means of a commercial laundry apparatus, wherein the washing machine is capable of being placed in the most advantageous positions to facilitate washing and to reduce manual labor. While I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that it is susceptible to those modifications which appear obviously within the scope of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A washing machine comprising a horizontally disposed cylindrical tank having an open end, a perforated cylindrical container rotatable within the cylindrical tank and having an open end the diameter of which is substantially equal to th diameter of the perforated container, means for rotating the cylindrical container, a composite door forming a separate closure for the open end of the cylindrical door and the cylindrical container, a horizontal bar attached to the center of the door, arms engaging opposite ends of the bar and pivotally attached to the sides of said tank, and hydraulically operable means for swinging the arms to Open the composite door and elevate the door above the openings of said cylinder and tank.

2. A washing machine comprising a horizontally disposed cylindrical tank having an open end, a perforated cylindrical container rotatable within the cylindrical tank and having an open end the diameter of which is substantially equal to the diameter of the perforated container, means for rotating the cylindrical container, a composite door forming a separate closure for the open end of the cylindrical door and the cylindrical container, a horizontal bar attached to the center of the door, arms engaging opposit ends of the bar and pivotally attached to the sides of said tank, hydraulic means for swinging the arms to open the composite door and elevate the door above the openings of said cylinder and tank, and means associated with the swinging and elevating means for automatically locking said arms against movement axially of the tank when the door is in closed position.

3. A washing machine comprising a horizontally disposed cylindrical tank having an open end, a perforated cylindrical container rotatable within the cylindrical tank and having an open end the diameter of which is substantially equal to the diameter of the perforated container, means for rotating the cylindrical container, a composite door forming a separate closure for the open end of the cylindrical door and the cylindrical container, a horizontal bar attached to the center of the door, arms engaging opposite ends of the bar and pivotally attached to the sides 8 of said tank, a latch pivoted to each of said arms, a link pivoted to each of said latches and to the sides of said tank, and fluid operable piston and cylinder connection between said tank and said latch for releasing said latch and swinging said links to open the composite door and elevate the door above the openings of said cylinder and tank.

HERMAN MILLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 683,816 Towers Oct. 1, 1901 1,100,334 White June 16, 1914 1,144,191 Gray June 22, 1915 1,394,631 Luschka Oct. 25, 1921 2,066,998 Nash Jan. 5, 1937 2,105,248 Johnson Jan. 11, 1938 2,118,582 Zimarik May 24, 1938 2,289,162 Amonsen July '7, 1942 2,309,940 Douglas Feb, 2, 1943 2,420,411 Blount May 13, 1947 2,428,489 Goodreau Oct. 7, 1947 2,575,673 Miller Nov. 20, 1951 

